§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the Simonstown Agreement, giving details concerning its enforcement under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; when Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; and whether he will give an assurance that this will not be done before ratification is carried out by South Africa.
§ Mr. GodberThe Vienna Convention is not retrospective in effect, and cannot208W therefore affect the Simonstown Agreements. Its ratification is under active consideration. The answer to the last part of the Question is, No.